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How to Turn off the Screen Rotation Lock on the iPhone

By Adrian Grahams
Deactivate the screen rotation lock on your iPhone.
i Dave Einsel/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Not all iPhone apps work well with screen rotation and some apps don't rotate because they are designed to work specifically in landscape or portrait mode. If you find that the screen on an iPhone app doesn't rotate, the screen lock may be in place. Turn off the screen rotation lock on the iPhone from the status bar at the bottom of the home screen.

Step 1

Press the "Home" button below the iPhone screen twice to display the icons for recently used apps in the bottom status bar.

Step 2

Swipe the status bar from left to right until you see the screen lock icon, which is a padlock inside a circular arrow.

Step 3

Tap the screen lock icon to turn off the screen lock. The padlock icon will disappear and screen rotation should unlock.

Step 4

Press the "Home" button again to return to hide the status bar.

Step 5

Launch an app that you know allows screen rotation, such as the "Calculator" app.

Step 6

Rotate the iPhone to ensure that the Calculator screen also rotates. If the screen moves as expected, you have successfully removed the lock. If the screen remains locked, press and hold down the "On/Off" button and then swipe the "Slide to Power Off" tab to switch off the iPhone. Press the "On/Off" button to power on the iPhone.

References

Tips

  • If the problem persists despite turning off the screen lock and restarting the iPhone to clear any temporary software glitches, Apple suggests backing up and restoring your device with iTunes.

Warnings

  • The information in this article applies to Apple iPhones using iOS 6 operating software. It may vary slightly or signifcantly with other versions of iOS.

Writer Bio

Adrian Grahams began writing professionally in 1989 after training as a newspaper reporter. His work has been published online and in various newspapers, including "The Cornish Times" and "The Sunday Independent." Grahams specializes in technology and communications. He holds a Bachelor of Science, postgraduate diplomas in journalism and website design and is studying for an MBA.

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